Slowly the night wore away, each hour dragging more than that which preceded it. Two or three times the boys tried again to liberate themselves, but fared no better than before, indeed, Dick fared worse, for he came close to spraining 'his left wrist. The pain for a while was intense and it was all he could do to keep from crying out.
"I'd like to know what time it is," said Sam, when the first streak of dawn began to show among the trees.
"And I'd like to know if Merrick has found the treasure cave," added Dick.
"It will soon be morning," came from Tom, and he was right. The rising sun did not penetrate to where they stood, but it tipped the tops of the trees with gold and made it light enough for them to see each other quite plainly.
The boys were glad that day had come at last, for being prisoners in the light was not half as bad as in the dark. Each looked at the others rather curiously.
"Well, we are still here," said Tom laconically.
"Yes, and liable to stay here," added Sam.
"I wonder if father is getting ready to land," said Dick. "I suppose if he does he will come ashore where we did."
